Wisconsin's Governors

Jeremiah McLain Rusk, the 15th governor of Wisconsin, died on this date in 1893. He was born on June 17, 1830 in Ohio where he drove a stagecoach as a young man. After marrying, Rusk moved to Bad Ax, Wisconsin in 1853 to become a farmer. He also operated a hotel in Viroqua and drove a stage between Sparta and Prairie du Chien. He was elected sheriff of Bad Ax County and, in 1861, to the state Legislature. His service in the Civil War was marked by courage and heroism, twice having his horse shot out from underneath him. He took part in the battles of Vicksburg, Atlanta and in Sherman's march to the sea. Rusk was elected to Congress in 1870 by the largest margin ever given a representative from Wisconsin. His popularity carried him to the governor's office in 1881 where he served three terms. Rusk was considered for the 1888 presidential nomination. He served as the first U.S. secretary of agriculture.